News

Unite the union is preparing to ballot its members for industrial action at the Somerset based printers Butler and Tanner over the company's decision to change agreed terms and conditions.

Negotiations between Unite and the new managing director resulted in a local agreement, however, this has now been overturned by the company chairman.

Butler and Tanner, a key UK colour book printer, has given notice to end treble shifts, terminate a long-standing contractual shift change-over payment and has created a permanent night shift and weekend shift with lesser shift rates.

Unite National Officer, Ann Field, said:

“Following the collapse of talks we have no alternative but to ballot our members for industrial action. We will be giving our full support to the staff at Butler and Tanner who are defending their jobs and terms and conditions.

“To make matters worse, since we gave notice to management of our intent to ballot for industrial action, Butler and Tanner have stated that they will need to make 18 or 19 printers redundant as soon as possible. We will do everything in our power to protect these jobs.

“We call on the management to endorse the agreement reached last week with the new managing director. This company has a rich 150 year history in the community and is an important local employer.”

Voting starts next week. 200 Unite members will be balloted.



-ENDS-



For further information please contact Ann Field on 07831 676 587 or Ashraf Choudhury in the Unite Press Office on 020 7420 8914 or 07980 224 761.